The Capitol building
was inaugurated in 1929 by Cuban dictador Gerardo Machado,
who proudly announced that it not only greatly resembled that
the US Congress in Washington but was a little taller. Today,
the building houses the Ministry of Sciencies, Technology
and Environment, and its halls are used for conventions and
exhibitions.

The Hall of the Lost Steps is one of the highlights in the
interior design of the huge building, and Cuba's most majestic
of halls. It spreads over 1655 square meters, and has twin
pavilions with vaulted ceilings, separated by a rotunda over
which stands the Capitol. A diamond there used to mark the
1st kilometer of the Central Highway, which crosses the Island
from east to west.